Amazon Removes Indian Flag Doormats After Sushma Swaraj Demands Apology, Threatens To Revoke Visas

Soon after India demanded and “unconditional apology” and said that it will not grant visas to Amazon officials if the company did not withdraw Indian flag-themed doormats from its Canadian platform, the e-commerce website removed the articles from the online marketplace. In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for Amazon Canada said "the item is no longer for sale on the site." However, no apology has been extended by the online giant.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said that Amazon must tender an unconditional apology and withdraw all products insulting the Indian Tricolour, otherwise no Amazon official will get an Indian visa.

An image of the products was tweeted to the Minister. Taking strong exception, she asked the Indian High Commission in Canada to raise the issue with Amazon at the highest level.

The mats were being sold for CDN$35.99 (INR 1864.33) and were described on Amazon.ca as “durable and heat-resistant” and being “machine washable.” Doormats featuring the Indian flag were made available on Amazon Canada site by two vendors - Mayers Flag Doormats and XLYL. These listings no longer appear on Amazon.ca’s searches.

With inputs from IANS